You'd never guess Bailey McCarthy had an urban upbringing by the look of her Bellville, Texas, country home. Filled to the brim with buffalo checks, antique quilts, and fair memorabilia, the century-old Victorian farmhouse is an homage to iconic country decor. "I've lived in a lot of cities, but I've always been more of a country mouse," she says. The interior designer, owner of Biscuit (a bedding line and housewares boutique in Houston) and author of the popular blog Peppermint Bliss,attributes her soft spot for pastoral life to childhood summers spent at her grandfather's ranch in Brookshire, Texas. She wanted her own children to have a similar experience, so when she and husband Pete happened upon a charming farmhouse on 85 acres, they snatched it up. Here's how she embraced her downhome roots to give this farmhouse a fresh—and timeless—look.

In this photo: Soldier Boy, the family's 2-year-old Shetland pony, poses in front of the house.

2 of 11

Roger Davies

Kitchen

The previous owners had restored the 105-year-old home, so the kitchen didn't need a total gut job. What it did need were some simple but substantial cosmetic upgrades—starting with paint. When the McCarthys moved in, the walls were beige and the cabinets, which vary in height, were white. "Painting everything black seemed like a good way to make the cabinets blend in with the wall," says Bailey. Next, she swapped out the granite countertops for butcher-block ones. "We wanted the feeling of an old farmhouse that would age nicely with us," she says. "Butcher block is practical, casual, and the opposite of trendy."

3 of 11

Roger Davies

Shelving

The couple finished off their mini-makeover by bringing in a few country kitchen staples: a farm table that doubles as an island; a brass light fixture that will develop patina over time; black-and-white floral curtains; and open shelves to display her collection of antique pewter and a favorite needlepoint.

4 of 11

Roger Davies

Dining Room

Inspired by the lush landscape just outside the enormous windows (which were salvaged from an old train depot!), Bailey filled the room with rustic wood elements and pops of green. The previous owners left behind the giant antler chandelier, which suited Bailey just fine. From there, she selected an antique round table that she had stripped down to the raw wood for a more worn and weathered look. Beech wishbone chairs, which Bailey had lacquered in an apple green shade, make for a lively juxtaposition with the table. They also pop against the large antique hutch that stores her collection of copper Moscow mule mugs and green and white china. A pale pink Oriental rug with subtle hints of sky blue and chartreuse rounds out the mix.

5 of 11

Roger Davies

Family Room

Bailey designed this space to be roomy enough to host a crowd but cozy enough for family game nights around the fire. "I wanted a few big pieces of indestructible furniture that people could pile on, plus some modern elements so it didn't feel too 'themey,' " says Bailey. Case in point: Bailey paired the room's showstopping farmhouse icons—a buffalo check-covered sofa and wildflower chintz armchair—with a streamlined steel-framed coffee table and graphic longhorn watercolor painting (by Houston artist Mary H. Case) to keep the mix from going too traditional.

Bright idea: When weekend guests ask, "What can I bring?" Bailey suggests a beloved paperback book with an inscription to add to their library.

6 of 11

Roger Davies

Bedroom

Bailey designed the room, which was originally the house's parlor, around her company's Wimberley pattern (named after the small Texas town known for its beautiful wildflowers). She upholstered the white-painted bed in a graphic blue-and-white-check fabric to complement the whimsical sheets. Wallpaper with a wood grain pattern, a fresh way to achieve a similar effect as unpainted, wood-paneled walls, creates a warm backdrop for the crisp bed. Gauzy eyelet curtains finish the space with a dose of pretty. "They add a country touch without going full-on 'granny,' " says Bailey.

Talk about a cozy retreat. To play up the guest room's snug dimensions, Bailey covered the walls and trim with rich green paint (Alligator Alley by Benjamin Moore). A four-poster spindle bed, outfitted with a striped wool blanket and wood grain patterned bedding (Paul in Taupe), also from Biscuit, creates a comfy room-within-a-room feel, while botanical curtains add softness and privacy. To give the room a collected-over-time look, Bailey brought in a pair of vintage carved wooden lamps and three sepia-toned landscape photographs with a decidedly Western style.

9 of 11

Roger Davies

Girl's Room

Bailey embraced her love of pink and green full tilt by painting the walls of her daughter Grace's room a soft shade of the former and choosing a traditional country bed frame in a leafy shade of the latter. An antique quilt looks surprisingly modern when paired with graphic heart-print bedding (from Biscuit, and appropriately named "Grace"). Vintage finds, like the Murano glass tulip sconces and the fair banners hanging above thebed (a Round Top find, and Bailey's first purchase for the house) infuse the space with personality.

10 of 11

Roger Davies

The Family

"We want our house to be comfortable and inviting, without being fancy or fussy," says Bailey. "This is where were come to unwind, reconnect, and build memories as a family."

In this photo: Bailey and husband Pete pose with son Harry, 11 months, daughter Grace, 3 (not a fan of posing for family pics!), and their goat, Calamity Jane.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.